European airworthiness authority, EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) has certified the militarised Airbus Helicopters’ H145M multi-ro...
The military type approval will enable initial two deliveries to Bundeswehr before year-end.
Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces), has ordered 15 rotorcraft to be operated by the German Air Force.
The H145M is based on Airbus Helicopters’ enhanced H145 civilian and parapublic rotorcraft (previously designated the EC145 T2). It has an increased maximum take-off weight of 3.7 metric tons, and can be equipped with mission equipment that includes a pintle-mounted door gun and the ability to carry weapons on external pylons; electro optical/infrared sensors with targeting capability; as well as military avionics for communications, navigation and flight management.
A rope-down system is available for special operations, and overall survivability is enhanced by the H145M’s crew ballistic protection, its self-sealing fuel tanks, and electronic warfare self-protection against missile threats.
The H145M is tailored for a wide range of military operations – including transportation, reconnaissance, search and rescue, fire support and evacuations of wounded personnel.
H145M is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel-2E engines with dual-channel full authority digital engine controls (FADEC), a Fenestron® shrouded tail rotor, along with upgraded main and tail rotor gearboxes.
This enhanced rotorcraft’s maximum gross take-off weight is increased by 50 kg., while its outstanding hover performance – even in one-engine inoperative situations – is crucial for flight safety and mission success, especially during special operations duties and combat search & rescue duties.
Deliveries for the second H145M customer, the Royal Thai Navy, will begin in 2016.
